Green Rugs Facts & Buying Guide

Green is the color of life, renewal, harmony and nature — is it any wonder this naturally relaxing hue has been trending in design? From bold emerald to soothing sage, read on for tips on working a green rug into your space.

Why Choose A Green Area Rug?

As the hue most associated with nature, it makes sense that people generally feel very comfortable and calm around the color green. More dramatic than its color wheel neighbor blue, but more subtle than yellow, green offers a pleasing middle ground that is surprisingly easy to work with. From fresh spring green to dark and dramatic moss green, there’s sure to be a shade of green that appeals.

Know your greens:

Emerald: A vibrant, light and bright green with a touch of blue in it, emerald has been gaining traction as a hot color in interior design.

Moss: A green that looks plucked from nature, moss green is deep and rich.

Sage: An earthy green that looks at home with neutrals and other natural colors. Sage is typically a bit warmer and lighter than moss.

Chartreuse: A shade between green and yellow, chartreuse pairs well with shades of blue as well as neutrals.

Mint: Mint green has a vintage flair. Refreshing and spring-like, mint works well with pastels.

Lime: Bright and bold, lime green is a notice-me color. Works well with equally-bold tropical hues and prints; or tone it down with plenty of crisp white.

Teal: Falling between green and blue, teal is a cheerful hue that’s bold while still being easy to work with.

Variations of green area rugs to look for:

Botanical and Floral Print: These naturalistic designs were made to be seen in green!

Geometric: Modern geometric prints bring crisp definition and a youthful element to a space.

Striped: Classic stripes in green and white can swing bold and preppy with a kelly green stripe, or farmhouse-inspired with soft sage and white.

Overdyed: This hybrid between a traditional oriental style rug and modern super-saturated color makes for a rug that works with a wide range of styles. Look for an emerald or moss green overdyed rug to make a big impression.

Traditional: A classic oriental rug is a can’t-miss design item for any home. Look for one in soft sage green or bolder forest green.

Shag: If you’re looking for a super-soft and plush rug to sink your toes into, a shag rug is what you need. Look for shag rugs in solid green, or in a range of prints.

Material Matters

Green area rugs come in a range of materials and textures, from soft wool to indoor-outdoor versions. Let’s take a look at a few of the most popular materials.

Wool: Wool is a high quality rug material that makes for a soft and natural feel underfoot. Wool has natural soil and stain resistance.

Cotton: Made from the soft tufts of the cotton plant, cotton is a budget-friendly material that feels soft underfoot. Sometimes blended with synthetic fibers to make a more durable rug.

Indoor-Outdoor: Made from synthetic materials designed to withstand sun, sand, and weather, this is a good choice for patios and high-traffic zones.

Hand-tufted: Hand-tufted rugs are created by pushing yarns into a fabric base. The surface pile is then cut to create a cushy, soft feel.

Synthetic: Examples of synthetic materials used in rugs are nylon, polyester, polypropylene and viscose. Also called olefin, polypropylene is a synthetic fiber that is strong, colorfast, and comfortable.

Where to use green area rugs:

Cheer up a plant-filled patio or sunroom with a green indoor-outdoor rug.

Anchor a contemporary living room with a soft sage green oriental rug.

Add a preppy twist to the mudroom with a kelly green-and-white striped rug.

Green, perhaps more than any other hue, is a chameleon of a color. This is thanks in part to the fact that green is made by mixing a cool hue (blue) with a warm hue (yellow). Depending on the balance between the two, green can read as either cool, warm or somewhere in between! Chartreuse (since it has a lot of yellow in it) is an example of a warm green, while emerald, with its dollop of blue, is an example of a cool green.

Color pairing tips for green area rugs:

Green and gold: This is an elegant combination ideal for traditional, contemporary and formal spaces.

Green and neutrals: Easy, simple, and foolproof, this is a great color scheme to go for if you like your decorating natural and organic or farmhouse-style.

Green and white: Bright green and white is a classic preppy combination. Add a touch of coral to really make things pop.

Green and blue: Cooling, calming and modern, green and blue are a soothing combination.

Green and yellow: Uplifting and cheerful, green and yellow make natural pairs since they sit next to each other on the color wheel.

Styling Tips For Green Area Rugs

Styling tips for every room:

Living room: Layer a sage green rug over a larger natural fiber rug, and pair with a neutral sofa, live-edge wood coffee table and plenty of potted plants.

Entry: Put a green and white striped rug in the mudroom along with vintage school lockers and an oversize framed photograph.

Dining Room: Use a bold emerald green rug in the dining room with a mid-century teak dining set and smoky blue glass pendant light.